Local businesses offer warmth, charging stations for people without power

In the wake of this week’s ice storm, many local residents are in need of warm shelter, food, outlets to charge electronic devices and more. Local businesses and offices are showing their community support by providing some of these services to individuals in need. Here are some of the businesses who have offered help:

POTTSTOWN

1. iCreate Café is offering a free meal to anyone who has lost power at home. The café is also providing electricity to people who need to charge cellphones and laptops. Free Wi-Fi is available too. Café manager Ash Khalil said iCreate gives back to the community and people can spend the day in the warm café.

2. State Rep. Mark Painter’s office is available as a charging station for people to charge cellphones and other portable electronic devices. People can drop off their devices then do other errands and pick the devices back up in a couple of hours.

3. Appliance Alliance is providing refrigerator storage to local resident who have perishable food. The store is also providing areas for people to charge their cellphones and laptops. Hot coffee, tea and hot chocolate is being offered.

5. Met-Ed electric company is offering all its customers without power from the storm three gallonsof water and one bag of ice per household per day at participating stores. Participating stores include all the Redner’s Markets in Montgomery and Berks counties, as well as Giant stores in Berks County.

6. Verizon Wireless is offering their stores as charging stations for electronic devices to local residents in Royersford and King of Prussia. Residents without power can charge their mobile devices free of charge during normal business hours.